Swinburne University of Technology Chancellor Professor John Pollaers OAM will use an address tonight to urge Australia’s business, government and academic sectors to step up and lead the charge in addressing the global climate emergency.
Speaking at the 2024 Swinburne Chancellor’s Oration, Professor Pollaers will underscore that the time for incremental adjustments has passed and that Australia needs transformative leadership that prioritises long-term, strategic alignment of economic, societal and environmental goals.
“This moment demands more than just managing the status quo. Leaders must rise to the challenge, setting aside short-term gains for a vision that secures not only Australia’s future but also our planet’s,” Professor Pollaers said.
“Our research and education sector is a national asset, a strategic lever that, when fully harnessed, can propel Australia into a leadership position on the global stage. Becoming a renewable energy superpower is important, but our true potential lies in becoming a brainpower superpower.”
“The opportunity for clean economic growth is within our reach, but only if we are bold enough to seize it.”
“It will take every home, every business and every industry working together towards a more sustainable future. The scale of the response required is unprecedented.”
The Chancellor will use his address at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus to call on leaders across a range of sectors to act.
“There’s a false narrative out there that somehow Australia is a powerless victim of this transformation, or too minor a player to make a difference, and there are even some who still question whether we need to act at all. We have to reject this. We have to make the choice to lead.”
Moderated by esteemed journalist Beverley O’Connor, the Oration will feature a panel of international experts:
Nicky Sparshott: Global Chief of Transformation, Unilever
Julian Critchlow: Advisory Partner, Bain and Company and former UK Government Director General, Energy Transformation and Clean Growth
Dan Cass: Co-Founder and Executive Director, Rewiring Australia
Paul Gliding: Sustainability advocate and former Greenpeace International Executive Director.